By 2030, more than 60 million older adults could be driving on the nation’s roadways. But don’t expect many more states to put added restrictions on their ability to get behind the wheel.
Legislatures have become increasingly reluctant to restrict driver’s licenses for seniors or impose extra requirements — such as vision or road tests — for getting them renewed based solely on their advancing age.
That’s partly because older people are generally considered safe drivers, more programs exist to improve their driving skills, and recent studies have shown that many of the restrictions aren’t as effective as once thought in preventing traffic fatalities. It’s also because a politically powerful group of advocates for seniors and motorists, such as AARP and AAA, argue that age shouldn’t be used as the sole measure of an older person’s fitness to handle a car.
“We believe that driving is about the ability and health of the driver, not their age,” said AARP spokeswoman Kristin S. Palmer. “We can’t stereotype older drivers.”
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
22 comments:
I feel it should be based on ability and health no matter the age.
There were some older drivers in crisfield that were in their 80s and 90s and I saw them drive on the wrong side of the road, go 35 in a 55 on Rte 413. People that get caught doing these things need to be pulled off the road and tested.
5:05-I totally agree with that.However,an accident usually happens before attention is drawn to an elderly driver & from there the appropriate measures are taken.Yearly testing might help.
I want to be a fighter pilot but I'm 45 so I can't. Same thing different speeds
Answer = YES for cars. However you'll have to pull the boat steering wheel from my cold dead hands!!!!
Don't take away my fishing in Assawoman Bay!
Agree w 505 but having said that even though I pass the vision test I have no business driving at night, so I don't if I can avoid it. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Should more restrictions be put on idiot millennials who speed while tailgating AND texting?
Saw one recently driving over 80 mph, tailgating a tractor trailer at less than 30 feet and her head buried in her phone texting what must have been a very important message. She will be buried soon enough.
Agree with 6:48. Snowflakes with cell phones are the biggest hazard on the road. Maybe we should hold off issuing licences untill you've moved out of your parents basement.
I'm more worried about the tractor trailer driving 80 in front of her.
Definitely
Statistically, people under 32 are causing car accidents. Hell, my mother is 81 and blind in one eye and and still drive NEVER been in an accident.
They 're another problem..so many are distracted and wreckless,just as bad as the older people.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
There were some older drivers in crisfield that were in their 80s and 90s and I saw them drive on the wrong side of the road, go 35 in a 55 on Rte 413. People that get caught doing these things need to be pulled off the road and tested.
December 22, 2016 at 5:21 PM
If you saw someone drive on the wrong side of road repeatedly or for any length of time, you should have reported them to le. For their safety as well as others.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Agree w 505 but having said that even though I pass the vision test I have no business driving at night, so I don't if I can avoid it. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
December 22, 2016 at 6:18 PM
I hear that a lot from older drivers, even some family members. They time their trips so they won't have to drive at night. I commend people who pay heed to their limitations. I'm in my mid 50's and drove professionally for 20 years and I can tell I am beginning to get weak spots in my driving. And I'm not too proud to admit it.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Should more restrictions be put on idiot millennials who speed while tailgating AND texting?
Saw one recently driving over 80 mph, tailgating a tractor trailer at less than 30 feet and her head buried in her phone texting what must have been a very important message. She will be buried soon enough.
December 22, 2016 at 6:48 PM
I would be just as concerned at a truck who was doing 80 mph.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Statistically, people under 32 are causing car accidents. Hell, my mother is 81 and blind in one eye and and still drive NEVER been in an accident.
December 22, 2016 at 9:05 PM
That's good, but some people don't have to be in an accident to cause an accident. No inference to your mother just saying.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
They 're another problem..so many are distracted and wreckless,just as bad as the older people.
December 22, 2016 at 9:32 PM
Wreckless. lol. I know you didn't mean to be but that's funny.
Shoot, my grandmaw is 90, lost one eye, both arms, and has one leg.....still drives better than these snow flakes at Salisbury University
Thanks 159am, I needed that this morning!!!
Over 60, hell yes! Most old folks are very bad drivers, just like teens.
Old people they are not as alert, and on medication, slower responses, fuzzy memory, all a danger to driving.
At Age 65 Everyone should have to meet at MVA with a MSP
officer to be evaluated Once a year .
To be certified Able and Safe to continue to keep their
driver license.
There are Alot out there now who should Not be driving
at all , or some who should be restricted to their local towns, and not be allowed on the highway.
As for the young , age 16 should be changed to 18 , being
the required age for a license. This is Not 1975 , and there is alot more Danger on the roads today ....... Fact
This is Not 1975 , and there is alot more Danger on the roads today ....... Fact
December 26, 2016 at 3:47 PM
Pet peeve of mine. If what someone says is fact it should be recognized as such by its own merit, without needing to be pointed out.
It's been my experience that when I see someone stress fact, it usually is not.
Post a Comment